Maeve Binchy ..... A Beautiful Writer,

The sad news of Maeve Binchy's death, brought a tear to my eye, and a flood of memories to my head........ I would like to tell you a little story about Maeve Binchy and me...

I live in Ireland now, and so did Maeve. I landed myself a wonderful job as a recreational therapist about six years ago, in a Nursing Home in a very small place called Rush. I had always worked with the elderly. This home was slightly different. The residents did not all need to be fed and changed, and their every single need catered for. Many joined in quizes, some were avid readers.

I soon made friends with one of the residents, recovering from an operation on her eye. Her room was filled with books. One of her favourite authors was Maeve Binchy. She had lived quite near to her, and seen her around a lot, but never actually met her.

I read the books to Mary, and i began to see why so many loved the writings of Maeve. She has a way of capturing her audience with wonderful characterisation. it was really difficult to pull myself away from those sessions. I started to collect her books myself. In one of her books Maeve mentioned the small town of Rush, where we were. I decided to write to Maeve and invite her to see the home, filled with her books...... We asked her to come for morni

I wrote the letter, and by return of post this very famous lady replied. Unfortunately she could not come out to see us. She told us of her health problems, and how she never makes promises to visit any more, as people get upset when she cancels.

The lines of communication were well and truly open.. She always returned our letters , hand written and by return of post. She sent us books signed and christmas cards, written by her own hand

Her book, a small one called Star Sullivan, we read the day it arrived, and as you can imagine there was great excitement, as letters would arrive from Maeve, by return of post every time we wrote to her.

My mum had every book of hers. When my mum was sick, I wrote to Maeve Binchy, and told her that my Mum had read all her books, and sadly was dying. She asked me her name, and communicated with her, on a postcard. I wasn't too keen on the picture on the front of the postcard, but imagine our surprise, when it turned out to be a replica of the cover of her new book. Whitethorne Woods.

The day my mum died, i found the copy of Evening Class, I have it upstairs, and now I have lots of Maeve Binchy books, of course they were my mums.......... There is so much information at the click of a button about Maeve Binchy, and her writing career. You can check it out yourself......

Rest In Peace, Maeve a great communicater. World famous author, and a true friend, to all her readers.